The country should continue to create wealth but ensure that this is fairly distributed among everyone, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said in his message for Worker’s Day.

Dr Busuttil said that on this day 11 years ago, Malta had also become an EU member and a lot of opportunities were created for Maltese and Gozitan workers.

New sectors, such as gaming, financial services and aviation, quickly became the pillars of Maltese economy and now employed thousands of people.

But one had to see that everyone benefitted from the wealth created especially through good wages and better conditions.

There were still many workers who were paid low wages or worked in bad and precarious conditions. These should also benefit from the wealth being created.

Dr Busuttil noted that while the average wage used to increase by €500 a year up to two years ago, in the past two years it increased less than €200 a year.

The lowest cost of living increase in the past 30 years was given in the last budget - 58c. This was not fair distribution of wealth.

Those on low wages, Dr Busuttil said, should be given a better share from the wealth being created.

This, he said, was his commitment - to ensure workers received good wages, there was a quality economy and a fair society.

To celebrate Worker’s Day, Dr Busuttil visited the Gozo General Hospital where he met workers and management and spoke to them about their day to day life.

He was accompanied by Health and Employment shadow ministers Claudette Buttigieg and Therese Comodini Cachia, respectively, and PN Gozitan candidates Kevin Cutajar and Ryan Mercieca.

Dr Busuttil said there was no place for precarious employment in this day and age. Opportunities had to be fair for all in line with accountability, transparency and meritocracy.